Beyond Horizons

1.2 Chance Encounter

Disclaimers : I don't own any characters or settings apart from a few. All credits goes to J. K Rowling. ( Normal text is the Harry potter story line and text in bold is Marauders era reactions.)

Nearly ten years had passed since the Dursleys had woken up to find their nephew on the front step, but Privet Drive had hardly changed at all. The sun was up on the Dursleys' neat front gardens, shining on the front door. It was shining into the living room which hadn't changed much since Mr. Dursley had seen the owls. The photos on the mantelpiece showed how time had passed. Ten years ago they had shown a baby Dudley, but now they showed a big blond boy on his bike, at the fair, playing games and with his parents. There was no sign of another boy in the house but Harry Potter was still in the house, asleep."

"I hope they are treating him well", Lily silently prayed.

Harry was woken from his sleep by Aunt Petunia's screeching voice.

"Up! Get up! Now!" She was hammering on the door. The sounds from the kitchen below indicated that breakfast preparations were in full swing.

"I'm having Walburga vibes," said Sirius before sharing an uneasy look with Regulus.

He rolled onto his back and tried to remember the dream he had been having. It had been a good one. There had been a flying motorcycle in it. He had a funny feeling he'd had the same dream before.

"Oh, could it be..." Alice trailed off, uncomfortable to recall the past incidents. Everyone seemed to be thinking the same thing, based on their expressions.

He rolled out of bed and looked around his room, checking for someone or something. He checked under his bed, in the shelf, and even peered out the door.

Nothing.

Phillipe leaned forward and asked, "What is he looking for?"

"Seriously, Phil?" Natasha teased, "Like any of us know what's going!"

"Yeah, it's not like we has any inside scoop," Rabastan chimed in.

"Guys! Can we continue," Dorcas asked a little bit impatiently.

With a sigh, Harry rubbed his eyes and sat back down on his bed. This wasn't the first time he had gone so long without seeing his friend. Ever since he could remember, there had been fleeting moments when he felt a presence nearby, especially when he was in trouble. It was as if he had a mysterious friend, a guardian of sorts, who appeared only when he was in dire need of help. He couldn't explain it, but it brought him comfort knowing someone was looking out for him, even if he never saw them.

"Must be nice to have a mysterious guardian watching over you," Peter said, a hint of envy in his voice. "I wouldn't mind someone like that looking out for me."

James nodded. "Yeah, it's kind of amazing, isn't it? Knowing someone's got your back."

"Think of all the pranks we could pull off without getting caught," Sirius added.

Regulus raised an eyebrow at his brother's and his friends reckless views. "Or it could be dangerous," he interjected. "We can't forget he's Harry Potter. Someone watching him might not have good intentions."

Lily looked torn. "I want to believe it's a good thing. Harry deserves someone looking out for him."

Andromeda sighed, glancing at Lily. "True, but we should be cautious. Just because it feels like help doesn't mean it is."

His aunt was back outside the door.

"Are you up yet?" she demanded.

"Nearly," said Harry.